It is OK not to be jolly during the holidays. I don’t know that I’ve ever given myself grace to think that until now. 

The holiday season always reminds me how difficult it is sometimes living with an autoimmune disease. When I try to cook non-stop, put up the Christmas tree or even bag up clothing donations for charity, my body doesn’t always cooperate. If it does, I pay for it. 

I also notice the quiet around our house which is missing the laughter of children and the crush of family members.  Add to this hiccups like cornbread literally blowing up on Thanksgiving. The glass Pyrex dish spewed pieces of glass all over the floor. On top of that, I almost severed two fingers on a giant knife at the bottom of my bag while unpacking leftovers. 

All of these things haven’t left me too jolly and that’s okay. I am grateful for  and this has led to contentment. I’m still not jolly, but I’m working on it.

In honor of December 1st, here is the first sweater in my Christmas sweater countdown. 

#christmassweatercountdown #chronicillness #autoimmunedisease #holidays #gratitude